Cancellation of the 2020 Event.

The inevitable cancellation of the 2020 Beer & Cider Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a real disappointment to us all.

Many would-be visitors bought tickets, both online and paper tickets from the Three Crowns or the Prince of Wales.

Those buying online have had their tickets automatically refunded by See Tickets, minus the admin charge.

Those buying paper tickets were faced with the problem of the venues where they had bought them being closed by the Lockdown although some managed to do so before the shutters came down.  Those still holding paper tickets have three options. 

1.  Keep them for now and exchange them on a 1 for 1 basis when the 2021 tickets go on sale.

2.  Wait for the pubs to re-open and cash them in then.

3.  Donate the money to CAMRA by tearing up the tickets.  These funds will go towards some of the sunk Branch costs that have been written off due to the cancellation.

2021 Event

The Olympiad has been booked for next year for Friday 23rd -Saturday 24th April 2021.  Get it in your diary now!

More details to follow in due course but it is anticipated to be the same successful format as in previous years.

History

Now in its 29^th year, this volunteer-organised event gives you the chance to experience a wide range of beers.  We always produce a diverse and interesting selection, from hoppy, golden American pales, through dark, traditional bitters, to tasty stouts and porters as well as great range of ciders and perries plus a range of fruity ciders. If you have not tried us before and fancy experiencing some new, then why not give us a go. Our bar staff are always willing to advise if you have any questions on tastes and styles or about CAMRA in general.

It takes place at Chippenham’s Olympiad and ticket prices include a souvenir glass, a programme and some beer tokens to get you started. Food is available at all sessions, with music from People Like Us on Saturday night. See the front page of the website for ticket details, check out our Facebook page or Twitter account @ChippBeerFest for updates. Tickets are available from the Three Crowns, the Causeway or the Prince of Wales Micropub, Station Hill or online.

This year we will be using your surplus tokens to support St John's Ambulance who support us every year by being present at our festival and Prostate Cancer UK which has personally affected two members of the Beer Festival Staff in the last year.

The first Chippenham Beer Festival was held in the town's Neeld Hall in 1992. In 1994 the Neeld Hall was unavailable and so with some trepidation the venue moved to the Studio Hall of the Olympiad Leisure Centre. The festival went without a hitch and the festivals have been held at the Olympiad ever since. In 2018 we celebrated our 27th birthday.

Branch members remember there being too much beer and not enough customers the first year and Paul Hawkins spent the night in the Neeld Hall keeping towels wet whilst Alan Powell fly posted all the town's cash dispensers! The second year had too many customers but not enough beer. By the third year we had the balance right! Beer sales increased year on year from 500 gallons to over 800 gallons in 2010, with customer numbers rising from approximately 1300 to nearly 1900 in 2010.

Owing to alterations in 2011 the Studio Hall was no longer be available for Beer Festivals; but with help from the Olympiad staff and area management we secured the use of the main sports hall for the 2011 festival. As a result, we were able to hold on to a location beside the river Avon: a superb venue, especially for sunny Saturday afternoon sessions. It is also convenient for road, bus and rail links.

An added benefit comes in the form of the Olympiad staff, who contribute so much to the smooth running of the festival. Finally, of course, without our volunteer staff we wouldn't have a festival at all.

Beer and Cider Festival winners